Inklingo

beber

beh-behrbeˈβeɾ

beber means to drink in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to drink

Also: to sip
VerbA1regular er
Latin AmericaSpain
A child happily drinking a glass of water.
gerundbebiendo
infinitivebeber
past Participlebebido

📝 In Action

Bebo mucha agua después de correr.

A1

I drink a lot of water after running.

¿Quieres beber algo?

A1

Do you want to drink something?

Es importante beber al menos dos litros de agua al día.

B1

It is important to drink at least two liters of water a day.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • beber a sorbosto sip
  • dar de beberto give a drink to
  • beber aguato drink water

Idioms & Expressions

  • beber los vientos por alguiento be madly in love with someone

to drink alcohol

VerbA2regular er
Two adults at a dinner table clinking fancy glasses together.
gerundbebiendo
infinitivebeber
past Participlebebido

📝 In Action

Él no bebe porque tiene que conducir.

A2

He doesn't drink because he has to drive.

Bebieron demasiado en la boda.

B1

They drank too much at the wedding.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • emborracharse (to get drunk)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • beber con moderaciónto drink in moderation
  • beber como una esponjato drink like a fish (literally: like a sponge)

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yobeba
bebas
él/ella/ustedbeba
nosotrosbebamos
vosotrosbebáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesbeban

Imperfect Subjunctive

yobebiera
bebieras
él/ella/ustedbebiera
nosotrosbebiéramos
vosotrosbebierais
ellos/ellas/ustedesbebieran

Indicative

Present

yobebo
bebes
él/ella/ustedbebe
nosotrosbebemos
vosotrosbebéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesbeben

Preterite

yobebí
bebiste
él/ella/ustedbebió
nosotrosbebimos
vosotrosbebisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesbebieron

Imperfect

yobebía
bebías
él/ella/ustedbebía
nosotrosbebíamos
vosotrosbebíais
ellos/ellas/ustedesbebían

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "beber" in Spanish:

intoxicatedto drinkto sip

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: beber

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I drink' in the present tense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
bebida(drink/beverage)Noun
bebedor(drinker)Noun
bebible(drinkable)Adjective
bebedero(drinking fountain / waterer)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin verb 'bibere', which means 'to drink'.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: imbibeFrench: boireItalian: bere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'beber' a regular verb?

Yes, 'beber' is a completely regular -er verb, meaning it follows the standard pattern for all its conjugations.

Can I use 'beber' for hot drinks like coffee or tea?

Yes, you can, though 'tomar' is also very common for hot beverages like 'tomar un café'.

What is the difference between 'bebida' and 'beber'?

'Beber' is the action (the verb), while 'bebida' is the object you are drinking (the noun, like a soda or juice).